Jasper Park Information Centre National Historic Site of Canada

Commemoration

In 1992, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) accepted
a recommendation by its Historic Buildings Committee, that 6 buildings “constructed
in the Rustic Design Tradition” should be commemorated by means of a plaque.
One of these buildings was the Jasper Park Information Centre, which is an exemplary
example of the Rustic Design Tradition.

Along with the Jasper Park Information Centre, the Abbot
Pass Refuge Cabin, Skoki Ski Lodge, Twin
Falls Tea House, the East Gate Registration Building and the Prince of Wales
Hotel all illustrate a wide variety of historical themes associated with rustic
buildings within national parks. Prominent among these themes are tourism development,
outdoor recreation, private/public ownership in parks and federal make-work
projects.

Landmark

The Jasper Park Information Centre, built in 1913-14, is one of the earliest
and finest examples of rustic design in the national parks. Designed by Edmonton
architect, A. M. Calderon, the Jasper Park Information Centre was intended to
serve as a landmark and focal point for the town. Built in the Rustic Design
Tradition utilizing locally quarried stone and timber, the building set a design
example for subsequent construction within the townsite. This vision of a unified
architectural theme within the park was novel when first expressed by S. Maynard
Rogers, Jasper’s first park superintendent.

Uses Through the Years

The Jasper Park Information Centre is symbolic of park and federal presence
in Jasper. Since it was built, almost a century ago, the building has provided
a continuing park function and is still a park contact point for information
on services and opportunities within the national park.

The Jasper Park Information Centre housed numerous facilities during its first
several decades of use. The ground floor contained various administrative offices
and, until 1936, the superintendent’s living quarters. The upper floor
accommodated a museum, library and drafting room, while the partial basement
housed the furnace, storage rooms and a fish hatchery, which remained in place
until 1941. From 1931 until 1972, the building was primarily dedicated to administrative
offices. For the last 30 years, it has functioned as the park’s information
centre and offices for the park’s interpretive staff.

Jasper Park Information Centre National Historic Site of Canada plaque states:This building is one of the finest and most influential examples of rustic architecture in Canada's national parks. Designed by A. M. Calderon and completed in 1914, it introduced a building tradition based on the use of local construction materials, in this case cobblestone and timber. The facility originally housed park administrative offices, a museum, and living quarters for the park superintendent. As the first major building in the townsite, it helped to define the character of Jasper's early development and provided a conspicuous landmark that greeted visitors upon their arrival by train.

Fast Fact:

JA. M. Calderon, the architect of the building also designed the Bank of
Commerce Building on the edge of Athabasca Park.

Fast Fact:

There are a number of other heritage buildings in Jasper, including the CN
Station, Superintendent’s Residence, Jackman Residence, RCMP Detachment
Building (now the Jasper Library), the Jasper Fire Hall, the Post Office and
other significant residential and commercial structures, which are recorded
on the Jasper Townsite’s Heritage List.